Documenting Their Lives, Telling Their Stories

Archive for the ‘Documents’ Category

The Hartwells filed Homestead application on October 16, 1871 and started working the land to “prove it up” as the saying went. Charles paid the sum of eighteen dollars to start the homestead process.

One of the first things the settler must do build is a house… the Hartwell’s house was described as “of logs, story & half, board floor & shingle roof. One door & one window.” Improvements to the property were described: “20 Rasberry (sic) bushes and 5000 Strawberry plants.”

This description was given on September 18, 1875 by Calista Hartwell, widow of Charles W. Hartwell. But wait! A widow? No…according to Grace Hooper’s “Pioneer Notes”, Charles left the family shortly after their arrival at South Arm in 1870. And it’s documented that Charles married Susan Winkworth August 2, 1874. Here’s the text from “Pioneer Notes” as written:

“In 1870 a boat drew in to the dock at the end of South Arm bringing Charles and Calista Hartwell and two children to land. They had taken up a soldier’s homestead nine miles south and west in Antrim County. In a short time, Mr. Hartwell left home and soon married another woman. Shocked and grieved, Mrs. Hartwell was confronted with the necessity of providing a living for her children, but she was a plucky woman and had a fair education so rose to meet the occasion. She worked at dressmaking and millinery and was appointed postmistress at South Arm and carried on for three years. Learning that she could prove up the homestead, she undertook the project and received the deed in her own name. It was required that she occupy the land a certain number of days each month, so she walked seven miles to the Kinney’s and they went with her ahead to break a trail through the deep snow. The women followed, each carrying necessary things…….she had made her way alone for eight years.”

Homestead application dated October 16, 1871, signed by Charles Hartwell.

These U.S. Census records were used in the compilation of information about Solomon Leach and his descendants. In most cases the Series and page numbers are listed, however there are a few that list enumeration districts instead. If any of the information isn’t clear, please contact me at: susaned@me.com for clarification.

1930 Michigan, Genesee County, Clio, unknown series and page, record for Sylvester Goodwin and Mary A. (Leach) Goodwin.

Notice that some of the 1850 and 1860 entries show the Leach children enumerated with various people. These children were the product of Solomon Leach’s marriage to Harriet Fowler and may have been living with family members or friends during Solomon’s marriage to Mary Maynard.

The marriage license application of Solomon Leach and Harriet Ann Fowler is very difficult to read and I was unable to get a clean scan, so here’s the text:

THE STATE OF OHIO, Geauga County, ss.

Personally appeared John Leach and made application for a MARRIAGE LICENCE (sic) for Solomon Leach, and Harriet Ann Fowler of the township of Burton in said county, and made solemn oath that the said Solomon Leach is of the age of twenty one years, and the said Harriet Ann Fowler is of the age of eighteen years; that they are both single, and not nearer of kin than first cousins; that he knows of no legal impediment against their being joined in marriage. Signed: John Leach, Sworn and subscribed this 29th day of December, 1854 before me (unreadable name), Deputy Clerk.

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SOURCE: Ohio, Geauga County Records. Marriage Certificate for

Solomon Leach and Harriet Fowler. From the collection of Dale Leach.

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Marriage Record for Solomon Leach and Harriet Ann Fowler

This document is a little more clear. Here’s the text: BE it Remembered, that on the Eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five Solomon Leach and Harriet Ann Fowler of the County of Geauga, were legally joined in Marriage by competent authority, in conformity to the provisions of the Statutes of the State of Ohio in such cases made and provided; and a certificate of the said Marriage, signed by Austin Richards a Justice of the peace who solemnized the same, has been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Geauga, this nineteenth day of February Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five. ATTEST, T.D. Achin, Clerk.

I was looking for a death record for Herbert Loyal Edminster the other day, and instead came across this marriage license. It’s the license allowing him to marry Laura Stone, his second wife September 25, 1893 and was issued in MIssouri.

In case you can’t read it clearly, the document (#8888) states that Herbert L. Edminster of the County of Leavenworth, State of Kansas and Laura Stone of the County of Leavenworth, State of Kansas both are over the age of 21 years. Their marriage was performed by Henry Hopkins, Pastor of the 1st Congregational Church, John W. Hinde was the Recorder, John A. McCoy the Deputy Recorder.